Read entire series here.
Zoning laws effectively establish a minimum wealth level to live in a given community. But jobs within those communities do not all pay at a level that allows the worker to live there. Most must live elsewhere. The only way for them to get to work is to commute from an affordable community where they live to a community that will offer jobs that pay well enough.
This creates bad traffic. Each community I've worked in has been way beyond my means to live there. The last few have been very wealthy suburban bedroom communities that have also had huge corporate business parks, stretching for miles, that offer tens of thousands of jobs at all pay levels. The freeways are parking lots at commute hour.
Part 4 . . . . . . . . Part 6
Because theology is everybody's task
Monday, April 30, 2007
Zoning Laws (Entire Series In A Single Post)
I've decided to put all the parts to this series in one post, in consecutive order, and update this post each time I add another part and link to it. So, here it is, in its entirety so far:
Zoning Laws (Part 1) - State Control Over Life
My grandfather had as one of his rules of life, this: he would never live (or work) anywhere that would not allow him to walk to work. Such can only be a dream for me. I've never been able to even come close to living close to where I work, or working close to where I live. This is true for many Americans.
Modern zoning laws have among the highest negative impact, and least acknowledged affect, of any legislations of civil government. They are foundational to the American way of life itself, yet are instrumental in causing or enhancing many of our social ills. They dictate where people can live, work, shop, recreate - every aspect of life is governed by zoning laws. Not only this, but they essentially create segregation by class, and are responsible for creating many of the problems with homelessness we see. Low job availability, long commutes, traffic jams, urban sprawl, racism and contempt for the poor are planted, watered and harvested by zoning laws. Yet most people don't have a clue that this is true.
I'll be looking at zoning laws and their affects in this new series.
Zoning Laws (Part 2) Segregation by Class
One of my blogging friends recently wrote that he lived in a well-to-do community and that the churches in communities like his needed to be creative in carrying out God's commands to help the poor. Wealthy communities have very few or no visible poor at all. Another blogging friend wrote that he grew up in a very poor community and that the poverty he experienced gave him some reservations about capitalism as an economic system.
One thing these two had in common, and this is true in news stories of every nature, is that entire communities have a class status. They are wealthy, or poor, or lower-middle class, or the 'hood, or upper-middle class or blue collar, etc. We live in communities with a fairly consistent level of wealth of those who live there. We simply accept this as part of the landscape of life and never give it a second thought, or even a first one.
Starting with residential housing, zoning laws establish minimum lot sizes on which a house can be built. The simple law of supply and demand establishes "market value" for that community. Because there is a minimum lot size, and a corresponding market value for that size lot, zoning laws effectively establish the minimum level of wealth required to live in that community. Communities that are more desirable to live in have higher wealth thresholds. This effectively eliminates the ability of the poor to live in those communities.
In part 1, I mentioned that I've never been able to live in a community where I worked. If I were allowed to buy smaller lots, even to build a smaller house, than what zoning laws currently allow, I could live close to work. But I'm not allowed to do that, so I can't live in the community where I work.
Zoning Laws (Part 3) Segregation by Class
Zoning laws also limit the number of dwellings and/or families that can live within a piece of property. "Single family" residential is just that. One family must bear the burden of the minimum "market value" price of the minimum lot size combined with maximum numbers of families allowed to live there.
Only recently did my county allow secondary "in-law" units to be built on a piece of property. They're starting to notice the immense problems their zoning laws have created. The sad part is that they fail to realize their laws created the problems to begin with.
Zoning Laws (Part 4) Segregation by Class
I live in the fourth largest, and the most expensive housing market in the US - the San Francisco Bay Area. Since zoning laws essentially mandate a minimum level of wealth necessary to live in any given community, each community has its own threshold. Generally, the closer to the financial center of the area, the more expensive the housing because that's where the best jobs are.
But since zoning laws create an artificial threshold for living in any given community, job holders in the wealthier communities must live further away in outlying communities. Back in the 90's, the Bay Area's more upscale suburban cities began to discover that most of their "essential" city employees (i.e. police, fire, parks maintenance, etc.) weren't residents of those cities. They lived elsewhere. That's because it was impossible for these people to live in those cities on the salaries they received - the artificially imposed housing prices were too high. And since the only candidates for these positions had to live far away in less expensive communities, it became much more difficult to fill these positions.
Imagine passing a law that mandates the segregation of people according to class. A huge uproar among the people would occur. Such a thing would be unthinkable in America today. Although completely unintended, this is exactly what zoning laws accomplish.
Zoning Laws (Part 5) Bad Traffic
Zoning laws effectively establish a minimum wealth level to live in a given community. But jobs within those communities do not all pay at a level that allows the worker to live there. Most must live elsewhere. The only way for them to get to work is to commute from an affordable community where they live to a community that will offer jobs that pay well enough.
This creates bad traffic. Each community I've worked in has been way beyond my means to live there. The last few have been very wealthy suburban bedroom communities that have also had huge corporate business parks, stretching for miles, that offer tens of thousands of jobs at all pay levels. The freeways are parking lots at commute hour.
Zoning Laws (Part 6) Separation of the Poor
Since zoning laws essentially set the threshold wealth level of each community, the poor have little choice but to live only in the communities that they can afford. This means that the poor are usually lumped all together in a given community. The rich can afford to live elsewhere, so they usually do.
When the poor are lumped into one community, and the rich and their businesses can afford to thrive in other communities, the poor have diminished access to good jobs, thus reinforcing their poverty.
Zoning Laws (Part 7) Scarcity of Lots, Not Land
Because zoning laws have set minimum lot sizes within a jurisdiction, not only is a minimum wealth threshold set for living there, the number of lots available in that community is fixed. Land owners do not have the freedom to subdivide into lots small enough to accommodate market needs. Instead, the number of lots available is limited by law. An artificially low supply of lots is maintained, and with no decrease in demand, land costs are artificially higher than they would be with a free market. This further hinders the poor (or middle class) from being able to live in a desirable community.
Zoning Laws (Part 8) Israel as Community
The last time I read through the four gospels, I noticed something I hadn't seen before. Quite often, Jesus' dealing with the people came in settings where the social classes were integrated. In the account of the woman who wiped His feet with her tears, the Pharisee thought to himself that if Jesus knew what manner of woman she was, he wouldn't be associating with her. But the striking thing about this account is that she was in that very Pharisee's house. If he knew what manner of woman she was, why was she in his house to begin with? It seems that the poor had access to not only the neighborhoods the rich lived in, but sometimes to their property too.
Gleaning laws, and others, put the rich and poor together in the same community. Ruth, a Moabite woman, happened upon a prominent member of the community, Boaz. The rest is history as they say. When rich and poor live together in the same community, it is far easier for the rich to minister to the poor. God understands this well, but we moderns prefer zoning laws that prevent such mercy.
Zoning Laws (Part 9) McMansion Suburbia
SuperSize me. American suburbia has entered a phase where house sizes are continually increasing for the same (or smaller) size families that live in them. This is often criticized as consumerism run rampant, is looked upon as an increase in selfishness and materialism, and is preached against by both environmentalists and religious leaders. But a closer look reveals something different.
Since zoning laws dictate minimum lot sizes, and thus limits the availability of lots, an artificially high price of land results. This is true of land prices, but not of construction costs. So over time there is an increase of land value versus house value. The piece of dirt is the biggest factor in the price of a home. What this does is creates a false sense of value through building a larger house. If a buyer could buy a 1000 square foot house for $1.1 million and a 3000 square foot house for $1.2 million, most are likely to opt for the latter. Those marginalized people who can afford a $1.1M house, but not a $1.2M house will simply buy the 3000 square foot house in the next community level down. Living life in one's house is more important than living on the land that house is on, even though the land costs more. For only 10% more money, one can obtain three times the house on the same piece of land. So, for the value, the largest house makes the most sense. Developers know this very well. People want a house, but the land is the biggest cost.
This has led to the latest building fad here in the San Francisco area, known as the "knockdown." People are now buying houses, let's say a ranch house built in the 60's, and they don't like the ugly architecture or small size. They bulldoze the house, because it's value is so small compared to the land on it. They then build a new, larger house in its place. It sounds ridiculous, but it makes economic sense.
Now something about value. Buying the "family size" product at the store is of value because at a larger size, the cost per unit is lower. It is more valuable for a family to buy this size than twice the amount of the regular size. But there's a side to it that we tend not to think about. For the individual, actually buying the smaller size, even though it has a higher cost per unit, can have the most value. If the bulk size item is too large for me to consume and will go bad before I can use it, or if I don't have the space to store it, then the smaller size is the best value for me because I won't be wasting money on something I can't fully use.
But for many people, zoning laws actually prohibit them from gaining the best value in land because the smaller size land item is unavailable. Imagine that. Getting a good land value is against the law! So people simply do what is the next best thing. Value is transferred from the land to the house. McMansion suburbia has more to do with reacting to zoning laws than with greed and selfishness.
Zoning Laws (Part 10) Combined With Other Laws
Zoning laws are combined with other laws to create some more road blocks to freedom. Tax laws are frequently used along with zoning laws to create excessive incomes for governments to play with. Property is re-zoned according to the amount of tax money that is projected for governments to receive. Property taxes are often used to fund public schools. Sales taxes also act as an incentive for governments to re-zone property as commercial. Eminent domain laws are used to confiscate private property in the re-zoning process without regard to private property rights.
Zoning Laws (Part 11) Combined With Other Laws (2)
Zoning laws can also have a combined effect with other laws such as strict building codes, local building ordinances and building permit processes. Building codes and ordinances make construction more expensive, and the permit process not only adds more cost, but sets a time limit for completion of construction. This adds hidden expense in that a greater amount of money is needed up-front for a project.
The overall effect of all these laws is a higher minimum standard of living. But this standard of living is mandated by law without allowing for the means to attain this standard. People who cannot meet this minimum level created by law sometimes end up homeless. Homelessness is often mandated by law without people knowing that this is the case.
Zoning Laws (Part 12) Zoning As Theft
Jim Fedako at Anti-Positivist carries one of his own articles on zoning laws. He suggests that zoning laws constitute theft of private property, and those who support zoning laws are the thieves. Read it here.
To see all the posts in this series in reverse consecutive order, click here.
Zoning Laws (Part 1) - State Control Over Life
My grandfather had as one of his rules of life, this: he would never live (or work) anywhere that would not allow him to walk to work. Such can only be a dream for me. I've never been able to even come close to living close to where I work, or working close to where I live. This is true for many Americans.
Modern zoning laws have among the highest negative impact, and least acknowledged affect, of any legislations of civil government. They are foundational to the American way of life itself, yet are instrumental in causing or enhancing many of our social ills. They dictate where people can live, work, shop, recreate - every aspect of life is governed by zoning laws. Not only this, but they essentially create segregation by class, and are responsible for creating many of the problems with homelessness we see. Low job availability, long commutes, traffic jams, urban sprawl, racism and contempt for the poor are planted, watered and harvested by zoning laws. Yet most people don't have a clue that this is true.
I'll be looking at zoning laws and their affects in this new series.
Zoning Laws (Part 2) Segregation by Class
One of my blogging friends recently wrote that he lived in a well-to-do community and that the churches in communities like his needed to be creative in carrying out God's commands to help the poor. Wealthy communities have very few or no visible poor at all. Another blogging friend wrote that he grew up in a very poor community and that the poverty he experienced gave him some reservations about capitalism as an economic system.
One thing these two had in common, and this is true in news stories of every nature, is that entire communities have a class status. They are wealthy, or poor, or lower-middle class, or the 'hood, or upper-middle class or blue collar, etc. We live in communities with a fairly consistent level of wealth of those who live there. We simply accept this as part of the landscape of life and never give it a second thought, or even a first one.
Starting with residential housing, zoning laws establish minimum lot sizes on which a house can be built. The simple law of supply and demand establishes "market value" for that community. Because there is a minimum lot size, and a corresponding market value for that size lot, zoning laws effectively establish the minimum level of wealth required to live in that community. Communities that are more desirable to live in have higher wealth thresholds. This effectively eliminates the ability of the poor to live in those communities.
In part 1, I mentioned that I've never been able to live in a community where I worked. If I were allowed to buy smaller lots, even to build a smaller house, than what zoning laws currently allow, I could live close to work. But I'm not allowed to do that, so I can't live in the community where I work.
Zoning Laws (Part 3) Segregation by Class
Zoning laws also limit the number of dwellings and/or families that can live within a piece of property. "Single family" residential is just that. One family must bear the burden of the minimum "market value" price of the minimum lot size combined with maximum numbers of families allowed to live there.
Only recently did my county allow secondary "in-law" units to be built on a piece of property. They're starting to notice the immense problems their zoning laws have created. The sad part is that they fail to realize their laws created the problems to begin with.
Zoning Laws (Part 4) Segregation by Class
I live in the fourth largest, and the most expensive housing market in the US - the San Francisco Bay Area. Since zoning laws essentially mandate a minimum level of wealth necessary to live in any given community, each community has its own threshold. Generally, the closer to the financial center of the area, the more expensive the housing because that's where the best jobs are.
But since zoning laws create an artificial threshold for living in any given community, job holders in the wealthier communities must live further away in outlying communities. Back in the 90's, the Bay Area's more upscale suburban cities began to discover that most of their "essential" city employees (i.e. police, fire, parks maintenance, etc.) weren't residents of those cities. They lived elsewhere. That's because it was impossible for these people to live in those cities on the salaries they received - the artificially imposed housing prices were too high. And since the only candidates for these positions had to live far away in less expensive communities, it became much more difficult to fill these positions.
Imagine passing a law that mandates the segregation of people according to class. A huge uproar among the people would occur. Such a thing would be unthinkable in America today. Although completely unintended, this is exactly what zoning laws accomplish.
Zoning Laws (Part 5) Bad Traffic
Zoning laws effectively establish a minimum wealth level to live in a given community. But jobs within those communities do not all pay at a level that allows the worker to live there. Most must live elsewhere. The only way for them to get to work is to commute from an affordable community where they live to a community that will offer jobs that pay well enough.
This creates bad traffic. Each community I've worked in has been way beyond my means to live there. The last few have been very wealthy suburban bedroom communities that have also had huge corporate business parks, stretching for miles, that offer tens of thousands of jobs at all pay levels. The freeways are parking lots at commute hour.
Zoning Laws (Part 6) Separation of the Poor
Since zoning laws essentially set the threshold wealth level of each community, the poor have little choice but to live only in the communities that they can afford. This means that the poor are usually lumped all together in a given community. The rich can afford to live elsewhere, so they usually do.
When the poor are lumped into one community, and the rich and their businesses can afford to thrive in other communities, the poor have diminished access to good jobs, thus reinforcing their poverty.
Zoning Laws (Part 7) Scarcity of Lots, Not Land
Because zoning laws have set minimum lot sizes within a jurisdiction, not only is a minimum wealth threshold set for living there, the number of lots available in that community is fixed. Land owners do not have the freedom to subdivide into lots small enough to accommodate market needs. Instead, the number of lots available is limited by law. An artificially low supply of lots is maintained, and with no decrease in demand, land costs are artificially higher than they would be with a free market. This further hinders the poor (or middle class) from being able to live in a desirable community.
Zoning Laws (Part 8) Israel as Community
The last time I read through the four gospels, I noticed something I hadn't seen before. Quite often, Jesus' dealing with the people came in settings where the social classes were integrated. In the account of the woman who wiped His feet with her tears, the Pharisee thought to himself that if Jesus knew what manner of woman she was, he wouldn't be associating with her. But the striking thing about this account is that she was in that very Pharisee's house. If he knew what manner of woman she was, why was she in his house to begin with? It seems that the poor had access to not only the neighborhoods the rich lived in, but sometimes to their property too.
Gleaning laws, and others, put the rich and poor together in the same community. Ruth, a Moabite woman, happened upon a prominent member of the community, Boaz. The rest is history as they say. When rich and poor live together in the same community, it is far easier for the rich to minister to the poor. God understands this well, but we moderns prefer zoning laws that prevent such mercy.
Zoning Laws (Part 9) McMansion Suburbia
SuperSize me. American suburbia has entered a phase where house sizes are continually increasing for the same (or smaller) size families that live in them. This is often criticized as consumerism run rampant, is looked upon as an increase in selfishness and materialism, and is preached against by both environmentalists and religious leaders. But a closer look reveals something different.
Since zoning laws dictate minimum lot sizes, and thus limits the availability of lots, an artificially high price of land results. This is true of land prices, but not of construction costs. So over time there is an increase of land value versus house value. The piece of dirt is the biggest factor in the price of a home. What this does is creates a false sense of value through building a larger house. If a buyer could buy a 1000 square foot house for $1.1 million and a 3000 square foot house for $1.2 million, most are likely to opt for the latter. Those marginalized people who can afford a $1.1M house, but not a $1.2M house will simply buy the 3000 square foot house in the next community level down. Living life in one's house is more important than living on the land that house is on, even though the land costs more. For only 10% more money, one can obtain three times the house on the same piece of land. So, for the value, the largest house makes the most sense. Developers know this very well. People want a house, but the land is the biggest cost.
This has led to the latest building fad here in the San Francisco area, known as the "knockdown." People are now buying houses, let's say a ranch house built in the 60's, and they don't like the ugly architecture or small size. They bulldoze the house, because it's value is so small compared to the land on it. They then build a new, larger house in its place. It sounds ridiculous, but it makes economic sense.
Now something about value. Buying the "family size" product at the store is of value because at a larger size, the cost per unit is lower. It is more valuable for a family to buy this size than twice the amount of the regular size. But there's a side to it that we tend not to think about. For the individual, actually buying the smaller size, even though it has a higher cost per unit, can have the most value. If the bulk size item is too large for me to consume and will go bad before I can use it, or if I don't have the space to store it, then the smaller size is the best value for me because I won't be wasting money on something I can't fully use.
But for many people, zoning laws actually prohibit them from gaining the best value in land because the smaller size land item is unavailable. Imagine that. Getting a good land value is against the law! So people simply do what is the next best thing. Value is transferred from the land to the house. McMansion suburbia has more to do with reacting to zoning laws than with greed and selfishness.
Zoning Laws (Part 10) Combined With Other Laws
Zoning laws are combined with other laws to create some more road blocks to freedom. Tax laws are frequently used along with zoning laws to create excessive incomes for governments to play with. Property is re-zoned according to the amount of tax money that is projected for governments to receive. Property taxes are often used to fund public schools. Sales taxes also act as an incentive for governments to re-zone property as commercial. Eminent domain laws are used to confiscate private property in the re-zoning process without regard to private property rights.
Zoning Laws (Part 11) Combined With Other Laws (2)
Zoning laws can also have a combined effect with other laws such as strict building codes, local building ordinances and building permit processes. Building codes and ordinances make construction more expensive, and the permit process not only adds more cost, but sets a time limit for completion of construction. This adds hidden expense in that a greater amount of money is needed up-front for a project.
The overall effect of all these laws is a higher minimum standard of living. But this standard of living is mandated by law without allowing for the means to attain this standard. People who cannot meet this minimum level created by law sometimes end up homeless. Homelessness is often mandated by law without people knowing that this is the case.
Zoning Laws (Part 12) Zoning As Theft
Jim Fedako at Anti-Positivist carries one of his own articles on zoning laws. He suggests that zoning laws constitute theft of private property, and those who support zoning laws are the thieves. Read it here.
To see all the posts in this series in reverse consecutive order, click here.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
How Did The Devil Get Control of The Earth?
And he led Him up and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to Him, "I will give you all this domain and its glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. Therefore if You worship before me, it shall all be Yours." And Jesus answered and said to him, "It is written, 'You shall worship the LORD your God and serve Him only.'" Luke 4:5-8 NASB
Several things are striking in this passage about the temptation of Jesus. The devil claimed control over all the kingdoms of the earth. Additionally, Jesus neither corrected him nor rebuked him for this statement. He did, however, correct and rebuke for the idea that He should worship the devil. The devil said that domain over the kingdoms had "been handed over" to him.
Question: who handed the domain over to him and how did it happen? I'm thinking about this and I think I have an answer. It is certain to impact my view of kingdom history, and I think it sheds some light on other very important theological questions that have direct bearing on us Christians living today and how we should view our lives. Lord willing, I'll be writing about this soon.
Several things are striking in this passage about the temptation of Jesus. The devil claimed control over all the kingdoms of the earth. Additionally, Jesus neither corrected him nor rebuked him for this statement. He did, however, correct and rebuke for the idea that He should worship the devil. The devil said that domain over the kingdoms had "been handed over" to him.
Question: who handed the domain over to him and how did it happen? I'm thinking about this and I think I have an answer. It is certain to impact my view of kingdom history, and I think it sheds some light on other very important theological questions that have direct bearing on us Christians living today and how we should view our lives. Lord willing, I'll be writing about this soon.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Cheapskating Ourselves To Death
Gene Redlin has this over at Northern Gleaner on being cheap. Some people idolize frugality, and it will return to them. Sow the wind, reap the whirlwind, I s'pose.
Friday, April 27, 2007
Zoning Laws (Part 4) Segregation by Class
Read entire series here.
I live in the fourth largest, and the most expensive housing market in the US - the San Francisco Bay Area. Since zoning laws essentially mandate a minimum level of wealth necessary to live in any given community, each community has its own threshold. Generally, the closer to the financial center of the area, the more expensive the housing because that's where the best jobs are.
But since zoning laws create an artificial threshold for living in any given community, job holders in the wealthier communities must live further away in outlying communities. Back in the 90's, the Bay Area's more upscale suburban cities began to discover that most of their "essential" city employees (i.e. police, fire, parks maintenance, etc.) weren't residents of those cities. They lived elsewhere. That's because it was impossible for these people to live in those cities on the salaries they received - the artificially imposed housing prices were too high. And since the only candidates for these positions had to live far away in less expensive communities, it became much more difficult to fill these positions.
Imagine passing a law that mandates the segregation of people according to class. A huge uproar among the people would occur. Such a thing would be unthinkable in America today. Although completely unintended, this is exactly what zoning laws accomplish.
Part 3 . . . . . . . . Part 5
I live in the fourth largest, and the most expensive housing market in the US - the San Francisco Bay Area. Since zoning laws essentially mandate a minimum level of wealth necessary to live in any given community, each community has its own threshold. Generally, the closer to the financial center of the area, the more expensive the housing because that's where the best jobs are.
But since zoning laws create an artificial threshold for living in any given community, job holders in the wealthier communities must live further away in outlying communities. Back in the 90's, the Bay Area's more upscale suburban cities began to discover that most of their "essential" city employees (i.e. police, fire, parks maintenance, etc.) weren't residents of those cities. They lived elsewhere. That's because it was impossible for these people to live in those cities on the salaries they received - the artificially imposed housing prices were too high. And since the only candidates for these positions had to live far away in less expensive communities, it became much more difficult to fill these positions.
Imagine passing a law that mandates the segregation of people according to class. A huge uproar among the people would occur. Such a thing would be unthinkable in America today. Although completely unintended, this is exactly what zoning laws accomplish.
Part 3 . . . . . . . . Part 5
Saving the Planet
It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this One is indeed the Savior of the world. John 4:42. NASB
Jesus is the savior of the world. Saving the planet, then, is an inescapably religious concept. But Jesus is also Lord of the world, and as such, He determines the means by which the planet will be saved. Any other architect of saving the planet than Jesus is a false savior, and any other means of saving the planet than by His Word is false religion - idolatry.
The planet will be saved when more and more people are converted to Christ, and they start living as God-delegated rulers of this world, and do so by His word. Environmentalists, who want to save the planet without Christ, and misguided Christians who don't care about God's creation because they think it will all be burned up some day real soon, both need to heed God's word.
Jesus is the savior of the world. Saving the planet, then, is an inescapably religious concept. But Jesus is also Lord of the world, and as such, He determines the means by which the planet will be saved. Any other architect of saving the planet than Jesus is a false savior, and any other means of saving the planet than by His Word is false religion - idolatry.
The planet will be saved when more and more people are converted to Christ, and they start living as God-delegated rulers of this world, and do so by His word. Environmentalists, who want to save the planet without Christ, and misguided Christians who don't care about God's creation because they think it will all be burned up some day real soon, both need to heed God's word.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Zoning Laws (Part 3) Segregation by Class
Read entire series here.
Zoning laws also limit the number of dwellings and/or families that can live within a piece of property. "Single family" residential is just that. One family must bear the burden of the minimum "market value" price of the minimum lot size combined with maximum numbers of families allowed to live there.
Only recently did my county allow secondary "in-law" units to be built on a piece of property. They're starting to notice the immense problems their zoning laws have created. The sad part is that they fail to realize their laws created the problems to begin with.
Part 2 . . . . . . . . Part 4
Zoning laws also limit the number of dwellings and/or families that can live within a piece of property. "Single family" residential is just that. One family must bear the burden of the minimum "market value" price of the minimum lot size combined with maximum numbers of families allowed to live there.
Only recently did my county allow secondary "in-law" units to be built on a piece of property. They're starting to notice the immense problems their zoning laws have created. The sad part is that they fail to realize their laws created the problems to begin with.
Part 2 . . . . . . . . Part 4
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Zoning Laws (Part 2) Segregation by Class
Read entire series here.
One of my blogging friends recently wrote that he lived in a well-to-do community and that the churches in communities like his needed to be creative in carrying out God's commands to help the poor. Wealthy communities have very few or no visible poor at all. Another blogging friend wrote that he grew up in a very poor community and that the poverty he experienced gave him some reservations about capitalism as an economic system.
One thing these two had in common, and this is true in news stories of every nature, is that entire communities have a class status. They are wealthy, or poor, or lower-middle class, or the 'hood, or upper-middle class or blue collar, etc. We live in communities with a fairly consistent level of wealth of those who live there. We simply accept this as part of the landscape of life and never give it a second thought, or even a first one.
Starting with residential housing, zoning laws establish minimum lot sizes on which a house can be built. The simple law of supply and demand establishes "market value" for that community. Because there is a minimum lot size, and a corresponding market value for that size lot, zoning laws effectively establish the minimum level of wealth required to live in that community. Communities that are more desirable to live in have higher wealth thresholds. This effectively eliminates the ability of the poor to live in those communities.
In part 1, I mentioned that I've never been able to live in a community where I worked. If I were allowed to buy smaller lots, even to build a smaller house, than what zoning laws currently allow, I could live close to work. But I'm not allowed to do that, so I can't live in the community where I work.
Part 1 . . . . . . . . Part 3
One of my blogging friends recently wrote that he lived in a well-to-do community and that the churches in communities like his needed to be creative in carrying out God's commands to help the poor. Wealthy communities have very few or no visible poor at all. Another blogging friend wrote that he grew up in a very poor community and that the poverty he experienced gave him some reservations about capitalism as an economic system.
One thing these two had in common, and this is true in news stories of every nature, is that entire communities have a class status. They are wealthy, or poor, or lower-middle class, or the 'hood, or upper-middle class or blue collar, etc. We live in communities with a fairly consistent level of wealth of those who live there. We simply accept this as part of the landscape of life and never give it a second thought, or even a first one.
Starting with residential housing, zoning laws establish minimum lot sizes on which a house can be built. The simple law of supply and demand establishes "market value" for that community. Because there is a minimum lot size, and a corresponding market value for that size lot, zoning laws effectively establish the minimum level of wealth required to live in that community. Communities that are more desirable to live in have higher wealth thresholds. This effectively eliminates the ability of the poor to live in those communities.
In part 1, I mentioned that I've never been able to live in a community where I worked. If I were allowed to buy smaller lots, even to build a smaller house, than what zoning laws currently allow, I could live close to work. But I'm not allowed to do that, so I can't live in the community where I work.
Part 1 . . . . . . . . Part 3
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Zoning Laws (Part 1) - State Control Over Life
Read entire series here.
My grandfather had as one of his rules of life, this: he would never live (or work) anywhere that would not allow him to walk to work. Such can only be a dream for me. I've never been able to even come close to living close to where I work, or working close to where I live. This is true for many Americans.
Modern zoning laws have among the highest negative impact, and least acknowledged affect, of any legislations of civil government. They are foundational to the American way of life itself, yet are instrumental in causing or enhancing many of our social ills. They dictate where people can live, work, shop, recreate - every aspect of life is governed by zoning laws. Not only this, but they essentially create segregation by class, and are responsible for creating many of the problems with homelessness we see. Low job availability, long commutes, traffic jams, urban sprawl, racism and contempt for the poor are planted, watered and harvested by zoning laws. Yet most people don't have a clue that this is true.
I'll be looking at zoning laws and their affects in this new series.
Part 2 .
My grandfather had as one of his rules of life, this: he would never live (or work) anywhere that would not allow him to walk to work. Such can only be a dream for me. I've never been able to even come close to living close to where I work, or working close to where I live. This is true for many Americans.
Modern zoning laws have among the highest negative impact, and least acknowledged affect, of any legislations of civil government. They are foundational to the American way of life itself, yet are instrumental in causing or enhancing many of our social ills. They dictate where people can live, work, shop, recreate - every aspect of life is governed by zoning laws. Not only this, but they essentially create segregation by class, and are responsible for creating many of the problems with homelessness we see. Low job availability, long commutes, traffic jams, urban sprawl, racism and contempt for the poor are planted, watered and harvested by zoning laws. Yet most people don't have a clue that this is true.
I'll be looking at zoning laws and their affects in this new series.
Part 2 .
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Free Market Reactionism
No human activity, I suppose, invites rebellion more than a moral, legal or religious requirement placed on others that God Himself didn't place. This might be true, to a smaller degree, of requirements placed on us from our economic and social environments. We react to the pressures placed on us from all around us. If the government increases my taxes to pay for its programs, I will not suddenly become a believer in those programs. In fact, I will despise them all the more. Laws forced upon me will not change my heart. External laws never do. Salvation by law cannot work.
It is in this sense that we are free to react against those things that would place unwelcome or unwarranted restraints upon us. If my county raises sales taxes, I can do my shopping in the next county if it benefits me. If I were looking for a wife, and my church had a low level of good prospects, I could look elsewhere. If something I usually buy becomes illegal, I can resort to the underground or black markets. I am also free to disbelieve what others tell me, and can act accordingly. We can also put off doing good things until there is a better environment in which these things can be done.
It is good, then, for those who would force their false morality upon others via coercion (or even passively through taking joy in cultural norms that would have the same desired result), that their targets can react in a way to combat or avoid the desired results. Even though these people may never understand this, I'm optimistic that in due time, they will all fail and be regarded as failures.
It is in this sense that we are free to react against those things that would place unwelcome or unwarranted restraints upon us. If my county raises sales taxes, I can do my shopping in the next county if it benefits me. If I were looking for a wife, and my church had a low level of good prospects, I could look elsewhere. If something I usually buy becomes illegal, I can resort to the underground or black markets. I am also free to disbelieve what others tell me, and can act accordingly. We can also put off doing good things until there is a better environment in which these things can be done.
It is good, then, for those who would force their false morality upon others via coercion (or even passively through taking joy in cultural norms that would have the same desired result), that their targets can react in a way to combat or avoid the desired results. Even though these people may never understand this, I'm optimistic that in due time, they will all fail and be regarded as failures.
Hey, I'm an Illegalist!
If adding to God's word is legalism, and disobeying a law of the state is illegal, then since all state laws are additions to God's word to begin with, any belief that opposes legalism is illegalism, and since I oppose legalism I also out of necessity oppose the state; which would make me an illegalist!
Double Header the Hard Way
Wednesday saw me go to what I call a "double header the hard way." That's two baseball games in one day, but in two different ballparks. Read about it over at my baseball blog.
Friday, April 20, 2007
Seek Ye First The Kingdom of God
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:33.
All these things shall be added to us? What things?
Do not be anxious then, saying, "What shall we eat?" or "What shall we drink?" or "With what shall we clothe ourselves?" For all these things the Gentiles eagerly seek; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. Matthew 6:31-32.
Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel's sake, but that he shall receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms... Mark 10:29-30
Why would God add these things to us?
Then God said, "Let us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." Genesis 1:26
Because He wants us to rule over the earth and its things. But in seeking His kingdom, we need righteousness. Man's rule over the earth in righteousness is God's kingdom.
All these things shall be added to us? What things?
Do not be anxious then, saying, "What shall we eat?" or "What shall we drink?" or "With what shall we clothe ourselves?" For all these things the Gentiles eagerly seek; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. Matthew 6:31-32.
Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel's sake, but that he shall receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms... Mark 10:29-30
Why would God add these things to us?
Then God said, "Let us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." Genesis 1:26
Because He wants us to rule over the earth and its things. But in seeking His kingdom, we need righteousness. Man's rule over the earth in righteousness is God's kingdom.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Here We Go Again
I first heard of the Virginia Tech murders while listening to the radio in my car. I had almost no reaction whatsoever. No shock. No surprise. No sympathy for yet-unknown families of victims. No horror, no outrage, nothing. Just another top-of-the-hour news story.
I think all of those potential reactions were nullified by the realization of what was about to occur. Something much more painful. The endless media spin, analysis and regurgitation of this event for many years to come in every media outlet there is. It only took a few hours for the usual suspects to start babbling their predictable slop. Gun control, armies of therapists sent to help, how could this possibly happen here?. Next will be psychological profiles, irate politicians, and hours of children crying. No, I don't think ill of children crying over a tragedy at all. Just the way that it will be packaged and marketed to us by the media.
As an added note, James Leroy Wilson has some interesting comments over at Independent Country.
I think all of those potential reactions were nullified by the realization of what was about to occur. Something much more painful. The endless media spin, analysis and regurgitation of this event for many years to come in every media outlet there is. It only took a few hours for the usual suspects to start babbling their predictable slop. Gun control, armies of therapists sent to help, how could this possibly happen here?. Next will be psychological profiles, irate politicians, and hours of children crying. No, I don't think ill of children crying over a tragedy at all. Just the way that it will be packaged and marketed to us by the media.
As an added note, James Leroy Wilson has some interesting comments over at Independent Country.
Monday, April 16, 2007
Our Reward In Full (annual tax day post)
(This is a re-posting of every year's tax day post:)
This being April 15, or tax day, I'll raise a question regarding alms giving. In Matthew 6, Jesus warns about practicing our alms giving to be noticed by men. Those who do have as their full reward just that: the notice by men. He warns that we are to give in secret, with only our heavenly Father knowing. Of course, necessity might require the one receiving the help knowing too.
If we are to give in secret, then why are we telling our accountants, our states and the IRS? Not only that, but any other agency or organization that requires a peek at our tax returns. "Hey, IRS, look at how righteous I am! I gave this much to the poor! Now, gimme my deduction!" Might this pittance be our reward in full? The subtlety of hypocrisy.... built right into the system.
This being April 15, or tax day, I'll raise a question regarding alms giving. In Matthew 6, Jesus warns about practicing our alms giving to be noticed by men. Those who do have as their full reward just that: the notice by men. He warns that we are to give in secret, with only our heavenly Father knowing. Of course, necessity might require the one receiving the help knowing too.
If we are to give in secret, then why are we telling our accountants, our states and the IRS? Not only that, but any other agency or organization that requires a peek at our tax returns. "Hey, IRS, look at how righteous I am! I gave this much to the poor! Now, gimme my deduction!" Might this pittance be our reward in full? The subtlety of hypocrisy.... built right into the system.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Taxes Suck
My wife and I spent the whole weekend doing taxes. I want to kill anybody who ever thinks it a good idea to force people to pay taxes. Of course, that wouldn't be the best option, as vengeance belongs to the Lord, so I'll settle for God casting all these people into hell to burn for an eternity. Well, he can save a few, of course, or maybe many, which would be a great show of His mercy. I'll be first in line for restitution when repentance bears its fruit, though.
Illegal Is a Sick Bird - Clarification
Ron McKenzie brings up a good question in the comment section of my last post. Better clarify. I'm using these terms in context of personal experience of usage. I see "legal" used more in context of the American legal system, a body of man's rules, and "lawful" more in terms of God's law. I admit there is some cross over. But men who add to God's word are considered "legalists" and not "lawfulists." I hear Christians use "legal" in terms of civil government law, and "lawful" in terms of God's law.
Additionally, I see American sports' use of "legal" for context of their rules, as they are man made. Illegal formations, illegal defenses, illegal procedure, illegal pitches, etc. I guess I should consult a dictionary and a cultural sociologist before assuming definitions for terms. Maybe my terms are too subtle, like Ron suggests. Oops. If all this confuses you - nevermind.
Additionally, I see American sports' use of "legal" for context of their rules, as they are man made. Illegal formations, illegal defenses, illegal procedure, illegal pitches, etc. I guess I should consult a dictionary and a cultural sociologist before assuming definitions for terms. Maybe my terms are too subtle, like Ron suggests. Oops. If all this confuses you - nevermind.
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Illegal Is a Sick Bird
My dad was a career California Highway Patrol officer. So growing up we had many goofy questions for him regarding driving and the law. "Dad, is it illegal to ___ (fill in the blank)?" His reply was usually, "Illegal is a sick bird," trying to impress upon us a distinction between legality and lawfulness, "do you mean lawful?"
I think I know what he meant, but this distinction needs to be impressed upon American Christians today. Most of the Christian faith has been made "illegal" by politicians, and from my experience, most Christians view "legal" as the same as "lawful," because of their false interpretation of Romans 13. So when good is outlawed, doing good is often not even viewed as good by many people. Just like Jesus and the apostles when they did good but were roundly condemned by legalists for disobeying false authorities.
I think I know what he meant, but this distinction needs to be impressed upon American Christians today. Most of the Christian faith has been made "illegal" by politicians, and from my experience, most Christians view "legal" as the same as "lawful," because of their false interpretation of Romans 13. So when good is outlawed, doing good is often not even viewed as good by many people. Just like Jesus and the apostles when they did good but were roundly condemned by legalists for disobeying false authorities.
Legalism vs. Illegalism
Is the opposite of a "legalist" an "illegalist?" I dare to say most legalists, and all statists, would think so.
Friday, April 13, 2007
Kingdom vs. Church
Jesus spoke a great deal about the kingdom, but very little about the church. We have reversed this. At what cost?
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Another 9/11 Oddity
One type of eyewitness testimony, that I would figure would be widespread in the news, that I've never heard is from somebody in the twin towers seeing the planes come at them while looking out a window.
The reporter covering firemen who caught the first plane hitting the first tower on film is famous. Millions saw the second plane hit, whether in person or on TV. Many people had stories of passing firemen in the stairwells. But were no people witness to the planes as they came at them? If 3000 died, there were tens of thousands at work already. Nobody was looking out the window? Maybe I missed it, but it's odd that I can't recall a single story.
The reporter covering firemen who caught the first plane hitting the first tower on film is famous. Millions saw the second plane hit, whether in person or on TV. Many people had stories of passing firemen in the stairwells. But were no people witness to the planes as they came at them? If 3000 died, there were tens of thousands at work already. Nobody was looking out the window? Maybe I missed it, but it's odd that I can't recall a single story.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Trinitarian Theology and From The Pew
The following is an excerpt from a letter I wrote to somebody starting a blog ministry that explains part of the reasoning behind my blog, From The Pew:
Now for the thing I mentioned to you about one of my basic ideas. It's a bit long, but please bear with me. I am an unashamed Trinitarian, and believe the doctrine of the Trinity can be practically applied to how the church operates, and how we as individuals fit into both the church and the kingdom. The basic premise is this: God is both One God, and three persons simultaneously. Neither is more important than the other. God as One is no more important than God as Three, and vice versa. We see this philosophy of the One and Many in many areas of life. The whole and its parts, unity and diversity, community and individuality, a team and its players, the body of Christ and its members. When Paul said to be imitators of God, I think he meant more than our personal attention to Christlikeness. I believe there is much value in structuring our churches, our organizations, and many other areas of life after the pattern of the Trinity. While the Scriptures don't explicitly demand this, God's structures for these things that are revealed in Scripture do follow this pattern. Paul asserts that the body, for example, is made up of diverse members, each with unique functions, and that we should all exercise our gifts, individually, for the sake of the body. No one member or type of member is more important than the other members. The body isn't an eye, for how would it hear? Etc.
Human history has been full of attempts to make either the whole or its parts most important. Communism on the one hand versus radical anarchy on the other. An authoritarian heirarchy in the church on the one hand, where the rulers are in control (community is most important), versus radical individualism seen in the American evangelical church on the other (individuals are most important). When the One is stressed above the Many, individuals aren't important, and can be easily dismissed. Think Roman Catholicism's church structure. Or many legalistic churches where the narrow official church doctrine governs all, and you can just leave, or we'll kick you out, if you don't agree with us. When the Many is stressed, unity is lost in favor of doing what you feel is right. Many constructs in history also stress both the One and Many, but they are held in tension with one another. "Nobody better tell me what to do, but I think everybody else should be forced to believe what I do." With God's structure, both the One and Many are held together in harmony, not in tension.
This is one of the foundational ideas of my blog, From the Pew. I state as my subtitle, "Because for too long it has been coming from the pulpits, seminaries and denominations." Little room has been left in many of our modern churches for individual thought and development of doctrine. They control the beliefs, and the believers have no choice but to be swept along with the tide. This is where I think the blogoshpere is and will continue to be used by God in the future for obtaining the proper balance of church and its members. A community of believers has been created that is not controlled by the "learned." Church leaders could stand a little instruction from those in the pews, because we have been gifted by both the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit. In the story of the blind man in John 9, the blind man witnessed to the Pharisees about Jesus' healing powers. When they refused to believe him, he answered, "Well, here is an amazing thing, that you do not know where He is from, and yet he opened my eyes." (John 9:30) The Pharisees replied in v. 34, "'You were born entirely in your sins, and are you teaching us?' And they put him out." They were unwilling to learn.
This is where I think your idea of using a blog to spread the truth about the state can be valuable. Many pastors and other church leaders are out there blogging, too, and quite frankly, a number of them are listening. There are also many lay people coming to truth and doubting some of the beliefs of their churches in regards to the state. I am optimistic regarding the future of the doctrine of the state as it relates to both the church and individual believers.
I hope this helps you in seeing what I'm wrangling with on a daily basis as I live my life in the presence of other believers and an unbelieving world. It does no good as a witness to the lost to tell them they have to obey the state no matter what. They merely see the chruch in bed with the state. Some abundant life! If you have any other questions, feel free to ask. Keep in touch regarding the progress of your project.
Now for the thing I mentioned to you about one of my basic ideas. It's a bit long, but please bear with me. I am an unashamed Trinitarian, and believe the doctrine of the Trinity can be practically applied to how the church operates, and how we as individuals fit into both the church and the kingdom. The basic premise is this: God is both One God, and three persons simultaneously. Neither is more important than the other. God as One is no more important than God as Three, and vice versa. We see this philosophy of the One and Many in many areas of life. The whole and its parts, unity and diversity, community and individuality, a team and its players, the body of Christ and its members. When Paul said to be imitators of God, I think he meant more than our personal attention to Christlikeness. I believe there is much value in structuring our churches, our organizations, and many other areas of life after the pattern of the Trinity. While the Scriptures don't explicitly demand this, God's structures for these things that are revealed in Scripture do follow this pattern. Paul asserts that the body, for example, is made up of diverse members, each with unique functions, and that we should all exercise our gifts, individually, for the sake of the body. No one member or type of member is more important than the other members. The body isn't an eye, for how would it hear? Etc.
Human history has been full of attempts to make either the whole or its parts most important. Communism on the one hand versus radical anarchy on the other. An authoritarian heirarchy in the church on the one hand, where the rulers are in control (community is most important), versus radical individualism seen in the American evangelical church on the other (individuals are most important). When the One is stressed above the Many, individuals aren't important, and can be easily dismissed. Think Roman Catholicism's church structure. Or many legalistic churches where the narrow official church doctrine governs all, and you can just leave, or we'll kick you out, if you don't agree with us. When the Many is stressed, unity is lost in favor of doing what you feel is right. Many constructs in history also stress both the One and Many, but they are held in tension with one another. "Nobody better tell me what to do, but I think everybody else should be forced to believe what I do." With God's structure, both the One and Many are held together in harmony, not in tension.
This is one of the foundational ideas of my blog, From the Pew. I state as my subtitle, "Because for too long it has been coming from the pulpits, seminaries and denominations." Little room has been left in many of our modern churches for individual thought and development of doctrine. They control the beliefs, and the believers have no choice but to be swept along with the tide. This is where I think the blogoshpere is and will continue to be used by God in the future for obtaining the proper balance of church and its members. A community of believers has been created that is not controlled by the "learned." Church leaders could stand a little instruction from those in the pews, because we have been gifted by both the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit. In the story of the blind man in John 9, the blind man witnessed to the Pharisees about Jesus' healing powers. When they refused to believe him, he answered, "Well, here is an amazing thing, that you do not know where He is from, and yet he opened my eyes." (John 9:30) The Pharisees replied in v. 34, "'You were born entirely in your sins, and are you teaching us?' And they put him out." They were unwilling to learn.
This is where I think your idea of using a blog to spread the truth about the state can be valuable. Many pastors and other church leaders are out there blogging, too, and quite frankly, a number of them are listening. There are also many lay people coming to truth and doubting some of the beliefs of their churches in regards to the state. I am optimistic regarding the future of the doctrine of the state as it relates to both the church and individual believers.
I hope this helps you in seeing what I'm wrangling with on a daily basis as I live my life in the presence of other believers and an unbelieving world. It does no good as a witness to the lost to tell them they have to obey the state no matter what. They merely see the chruch in bed with the state. Some abundant life! If you have any other questions, feel free to ask. Keep in touch regarding the progress of your project.
Happy Anniversary Two Pew
Today marks the second anniversary of my first post at From the Pew. I still believe what I wrote in that first post, although it doesn't seem like two years ago. Looking forward to the next year.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
How Income Tax Works
Read this from Jim Fedako, the Anti-Positivist, on how our income tax system works, using a real life analogy.
Sunday, April 08, 2007
Pet Peeves
Literally. The last few months have seen me shovel nice, neat little piles of dog crap off my front lawn, and cat crap out of my back yard. I know from whence the feline feces come from, but the canine poopies are a mystery. Near as I can tell, they're probably the product of a pre-dawn dog walk. I hate scumbags that let their dogs do this to other people's property. I've witnessed this so many times in my life (I'm an every day morning jogger) I could write a book. When I was a kid, somebody did that in our front yard while my mom was looking out the window. She ran outside and confronted the loser, who made it clear that it was unthinkable that somebody could be upset about it. Man.
I want to put up a vulgar sign in my front yard about shooting dogs and their owners, even though I wouldn't follow through. Would it be less than Christian of me to find out whose dog it is and return the package to their front porch? At least it would be more visible than on the grass.
I want to put up a vulgar sign in my front yard about shooting dogs and their owners, even though I wouldn't follow through. Would it be less than Christian of me to find out whose dog it is and return the package to their front porch? At least it would be more visible than on the grass.
Polling the Pollsters
Okay, I took the Presidential Candidate Selector poll that James Leroy Wilson and Vache Folle took. My results came out like this: Joseph Biden 100%, Duncan Hunter 94%, Mike Huckabee 88%, Ron Paul 86% and Condoleezza Rice 83%. When I clicked through again to post the results (only a few hours later), the poll changed and had additional questions.
As usual on polls of this type, I can't help but question the reasons for each question. I had no more than 3 selections that were not answered "neither," so without the pollster having a clue as to what I do believe about each issue, how is it even possible to match me with a candidate? Some of the questions are impossible to answer anyway because the question is either the wrong one or disqualifies itself by its contradictions. Question 3 about balancing civil rights and security creates a false dichotomy, because these two items go together, and are not on opposite sides of a balance. Civil rights ensures individuals with the rights and responsibilities of defending themselves with arms, even numerous arms, creating security. The false dichotomy is based on the reality that enabling one to defend himself is itself viewed as an act of terrorism because of the strong emphasis on so-called security.
The updated poll had more specific questions about health care, marijuana and taxes. Here are my new results: Theoretical Ideal Candidate 100%, Kent McManigal 94%, Ron Paul 81%, Chuck Hagel 71%, then a bunch lumped together. The first poll had McCain, Giuliani and Clinton way down about 10%-20%, yet the updated one had Clinton the same, but McCain and Giuliani at 67% and 47% respectively.
As usual on polls of this type, I can't help but question the reasons for each question. I had no more than 3 selections that were not answered "neither," so without the pollster having a clue as to what I do believe about each issue, how is it even possible to match me with a candidate? Some of the questions are impossible to answer anyway because the question is either the wrong one or disqualifies itself by its contradictions. Question 3 about balancing civil rights and security creates a false dichotomy, because these two items go together, and are not on opposite sides of a balance. Civil rights ensures individuals with the rights and responsibilities of defending themselves with arms, even numerous arms, creating security. The false dichotomy is based on the reality that enabling one to defend himself is itself viewed as an act of terrorism because of the strong emphasis on so-called security.
The updated poll had more specific questions about health care, marijuana and taxes. Here are my new results: Theoretical Ideal Candidate 100%, Kent McManigal 94%, Ron Paul 81%, Chuck Hagel 71%, then a bunch lumped together. The first poll had McCain, Giuliani and Clinton way down about 10%-20%, yet the updated one had Clinton the same, but McCain and Giuliani at 67% and 47% respectively.
He Is Risen!
Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Romans 6:11
In Romans 6, the apostle Paul shows how the death and resurrection of Jesus relate to our own lives. His death frees us from the slavery to sin and from its penalty. But His resurrection allows us to live life. Reformed Protestants are so busy focusing on His death, and the cross that caused it, that we miss the better event, His resurrection. Our justification comes at a point - a starting point; our entire life follows.
Imagine being in prison because you can't pay your debt. Now imagine somebody paying it off for you and you become free. While this is wonderful in its own right, now what do you do? Let's say you are freed from prison, but this occurs at 5:30am in January in Northern Minnesota, and you are released with only the t-shirt and shorts you came with. You sit huddled on the sidewalk outside the prison, shivering, trying to rejoice in your new freedom, all the while not noticing that the limo parked at the curb is waiting to take you away to a vacation in Hawaii. That is the resurrection!
He is Risen! Live, ye dry bones!
In Romans 6, the apostle Paul shows how the death and resurrection of Jesus relate to our own lives. His death frees us from the slavery to sin and from its penalty. But His resurrection allows us to live life. Reformed Protestants are so busy focusing on His death, and the cross that caused it, that we miss the better event, His resurrection. Our justification comes at a point - a starting point; our entire life follows.
Imagine being in prison because you can't pay your debt. Now imagine somebody paying it off for you and you become free. While this is wonderful in its own right, now what do you do? Let's say you are freed from prison, but this occurs at 5:30am in January in Northern Minnesota, and you are released with only the t-shirt and shorts you came with. You sit huddled on the sidewalk outside the prison, shivering, trying to rejoice in your new freedom, all the while not noticing that the limo parked at the curb is waiting to take you away to a vacation in Hawaii. That is the resurrection!
He is Risen! Live, ye dry bones!
Saturday, April 07, 2007
New Blog Links
I've added a new section to my margin titled "other links." These are frequent reads of mine. Gene Redlin at Northern Gleaner brings a charismaticesque slant to things. I added Gene because I read his blog, he reads mine, and we have conversations. I'll keep him here in my links - until he says something that I disagree with (inside joke). Not much goes on at Andrew Sandlin's CCL site that also doesn't happen on his blog, so I bumped it down a few notches. Dr. Lenny is a scientist and baseball fan, while his alter ego writes poetry. He's over at The Zone. The group of guys over at Reformed Catholicism talk about the unity of the church and the history of the Reformation. Society Vs hosts Losing My Religion from way up in Canada. He grew up amongst many of the Aboriginal peoples of Saskatchewan. Abu Daoub is a Christian living in the Middle East and has much insight into Islam and how it relates to Christianity at Islam and Christianity. We in the West rarely hear about the types of things he has to say.
The Misunderstanding of Wealth
Many, if not most, people misunderstand the proper concept of wealth. Sadly, this includes a great number of Christians. Most people interpret wealth as luxury, whereas the bible interprets it as responsibility. Luxury can be viewed as the absence of responsibility.
Since the world lusts after wealth in the form of luxury, many Christians' reactionary tendencies take the form of viewing wealth itself in terms of the world's lust. Wealth is therefore often avoided, sometimes at all costs. "New houses, new cars, who needs that? It's all going to burn up anyway" is a common sentiment I hear from Christians. Many Christians wrongly judge other Christians for the wealth they possess. I often wondered why, in the parable of the talents, Jesus took the talent from the one who buried it in a napkin and gave it to the one with ten talents instead of the one with five. Now I understand it's because the one with ten talents is the most responsible one.
Also, eating from the fruits of one's own labor, even if the harvest is overflowing, is perfectly biblical. I always hear Christians slander wealthy athletes for their large houses, large paychecks and material things, as if those things were evil in and of themselves. "That money could have been used for better things." These people are ignorant in that they don't understand the (God created) laws of economics. If a millionaire athlete builds a huge house, many poor and middle-class people are fed through the wages paid to them for their labor in building and maintaining his house. Carpenters, electricians, all kinds of trades are involved. There are common laborers that shovel up the crud at the end of the job who get to eat and feed their loved ones. If that isn't mercy, I don't know what is. I suppose the ignorant Christians would rather these people go hungry than see an athlete (especially a Christian one) enjoy the fruits of his labor.
Even in the enjoyment of that fruit there exists godly, biblical responsibility to the glory of God. I sometimes shudder at the possibility that "Christians" who misinterpret godly responsibility as greed, and shun responsibility for themselves as a result, will be the ones who will hear Jesus say, "I never knew you."
Since the world lusts after wealth in the form of luxury, many Christians' reactionary tendencies take the form of viewing wealth itself in terms of the world's lust. Wealth is therefore often avoided, sometimes at all costs. "New houses, new cars, who needs that? It's all going to burn up anyway" is a common sentiment I hear from Christians. Many Christians wrongly judge other Christians for the wealth they possess. I often wondered why, in the parable of the talents, Jesus took the talent from the one who buried it in a napkin and gave it to the one with ten talents instead of the one with five. Now I understand it's because the one with ten talents is the most responsible one.
Also, eating from the fruits of one's own labor, even if the harvest is overflowing, is perfectly biblical. I always hear Christians slander wealthy athletes for their large houses, large paychecks and material things, as if those things were evil in and of themselves. "That money could have been used for better things." These people are ignorant in that they don't understand the (God created) laws of economics. If a millionaire athlete builds a huge house, many poor and middle-class people are fed through the wages paid to them for their labor in building and maintaining his house. Carpenters, electricians, all kinds of trades are involved. There are common laborers that shovel up the crud at the end of the job who get to eat and feed their loved ones. If that isn't mercy, I don't know what is. I suppose the ignorant Christians would rather these people go hungry than see an athlete (especially a Christian one) enjoy the fruits of his labor.
Even in the enjoyment of that fruit there exists godly, biblical responsibility to the glory of God. I sometimes shudder at the possibility that "Christians" who misinterpret godly responsibility as greed, and shun responsibility for themselves as a result, will be the ones who will hear Jesus say, "I never knew you."
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Why I Support the War in Iraq
I support the war in Iraq because I am forced to support it. Taxes, in one form or another, are extorted from me by the federal government against my will and used for something I don't agree with. If I were to come out against the war, I could carry a sign or write against it on my blog. But if I really did something about it, like withhold those taxes, I'd have a new roommate named Bubba. Live-in boyfriend, kind of, with a habit of anal rape.
America has become a place where one can believe anything at all, just as long as one doesn't act on his beliefs.
America has become a place where one can believe anything at all, just as long as one doesn't act on his beliefs.
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
The Opening Day From Hell
As a big baseball fan, we waited all winter for yesterday, Opening Day for the San Francisco Giants. They signed Barry Zito, and he was starting. Usually, Mrs. Scott and I sit with each of our best friends, who buy most of our tickets, on Opening Day.
Mrs. Scott's difficult pregnancy kept her home, so I took our 5 year old. Our 2 year old gets sick, and she takes him to the doctor just after we leave, instead of to my mom's for babysitting. We always take the BART train on Opening Day, but for some reason, I had to drive to four different train stations to find a parking space! Unbelievable. In the mean time, my kid barfs in the back seat and becomes ill. After station number two, I met Mrs. Scott at the doctors' a few minutes before their appointment, eliminating her plans for a day off.
With all this, it might seem the best thing to do is to just go home. But my friend couldn't pick up his tickets a couple weeks ago, so I had them, including that game's. He couldn't get in without me. I also had about $5000 worth of his tickets that I carried on my person. I finally got a parking space an hour and a half after we left. But a police search of our train delayed us even more, and a horrible connection to the SF Muni train, another 20 min delay, made things worse. My friend said he'd watch the game from the free knothole area behind the right field fence until I showed up. I hadn't pee'd all day, so I had to hit the marina restroom before heading behind the park. My friend couldn't get to see after all because the line to get into the free space was so long.
I finally made it to my seat in the top of the 4th inning, with all the Opening Day calendar freebees gone. The Giants got killed by the Padres 7-0. My sausage's bun burst open, creating a mess I had to eat with my fingers. I also forgot napkins. Thanks be to socks. My kids were diagnosed with walking pneumonia and a double ear infection, respectively. Can't wait for the All-Star Game.
Mrs. Scott's difficult pregnancy kept her home, so I took our 5 year old. Our 2 year old gets sick, and she takes him to the doctor just after we leave, instead of to my mom's for babysitting. We always take the BART train on Opening Day, but for some reason, I had to drive to four different train stations to find a parking space! Unbelievable. In the mean time, my kid barfs in the back seat and becomes ill. After station number two, I met Mrs. Scott at the doctors' a few minutes before their appointment, eliminating her plans for a day off.
With all this, it might seem the best thing to do is to just go home. But my friend couldn't pick up his tickets a couple weeks ago, so I had them, including that game's. He couldn't get in without me. I also had about $5000 worth of his tickets that I carried on my person. I finally got a parking space an hour and a half after we left. But a police search of our train delayed us even more, and a horrible connection to the SF Muni train, another 20 min delay, made things worse. My friend said he'd watch the game from the free knothole area behind the right field fence until I showed up. I hadn't pee'd all day, so I had to hit the marina restroom before heading behind the park. My friend couldn't get to see after all because the line to get into the free space was so long.
I finally made it to my seat in the top of the 4th inning, with all the Opening Day calendar freebees gone. The Giants got killed by the Padres 7-0. My sausage's bun burst open, creating a mess I had to eat with my fingers. I also forgot napkins. Thanks be to socks. My kids were diagnosed with walking pneumonia and a double ear infection, respectively. Can't wait for the All-Star Game.
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Biblical Anarchy
Go to the ant, O sluggard, observe her ways and be wise, which, having no chief, officer or ruler, prepares her food in the summer, and gathers her provision in the harvest. Proverbs 6:6-8
Four things are small on the earth, but they are exceedingly wise:...The locusts have no king, yet all of them go out in ranks. Proverbs 30:24, 27
Four things are small on the earth, but they are exceedingly wise:...The locusts have no king, yet all of them go out in ranks. Proverbs 30:24, 27
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